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Abstract

The widespread popularity of online classes is evident in both professional and academic settings. Learners' engagement and satisfaction with the online courses, especially from the learners' perspective, are considered core to the promotion of quality learning. The voices of the present day's “virtual generation” need to be heard. The opportunities they see and the challenges they face can be utilized in creating engaging online learning environments. This chapter discusses online class engagement strategies that work. Multiple sources including semi-structured interviews with eight participants at a Research 1 University in Southwest United States, online course documents, email exchanges, and discussion transcripts were used to collect and analyze data. The findings indicate online class engagement factors and issues that need to be considered in effective design and successful delivery of online courses. The findings can be used to help faculties and learners achieve optimum benefits from online classes.

Introduction

The profit and nonprofit work sectors necessitate incorporating new technologies to sustain competitive advantages. The workforce need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to deal with recent technological sophistication in an environment where changes became the norm (Marsh, Taylor & Holoviak, 2011). Universities, colleges and schools need to adopt programs and curriculum that help students prepare for the complex work environment. The factors that need to be considered are: “the need for speed, the need to respond to vast technological changes, the trend toward globalization and increased market pressures” (Marsh, Taylor & Holoviak. 2011, p. 31). Lawrence (2013) added “critical thinking, problem-solving, collaborating with peers, and using technology” to the list (p. 53). Educational institutions need to be responsive of these factors when designing and delivering their courses.

Empirical evidence suggests that online class enrollment is increasing at a faster rate than higher education enrollment. The United States Department of Education (2010) revealed that in K12 public school sector, students enrolled in technology based distance learning increased by 65% between the years 2002-03 to 2004-05. In 2004 2.3 million University students took at least one online class. The number increased to 3.2 million in 2005 fall semester (Dixson, 2010). A similar trend is reflected at the state level too. Former Minnesota Governor, Chair of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees plan that 25% of the State’s University System courses will be offered online by 2015 (Thiede, 2012). Hence, the inclination towards offering online classes is evident at the workplace, in the schools, in the colleges and universities, and in governmental action plans.

We use the term, “online,” synonymously with eLearning, virtual learning, computer mediated learning and web based learning in this chapter. Online learning here is defined as a mode of learning in which learners are not necessarily in the same geographic location, and learning content is delivered using the Internet.

Engaging learners is important in any learning environment. Achieving it in a setting where learners and instructors are physically away from each other is challenging. Engagement is defined here as a multidimensional construct that includes behavioral, emotional, and cognitive outcomes of learners (Fredricks & McColskey, 2012). Behavioral constructs deal with factors like time spent in the class, cognitive construct deal with learning outcomes and last but not the least, emotional construct is related to learners’ perceived sense of satisfaction in the online class.